French Ambassador visits Tonga [1]
Monday, November 23, 2009 - 10:04. Updated on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 18:48.
HE Mr Michel Monnier, the French non-resident Ambassador to Tonga, visited Tonga last week and had an audience with HM King George Tupou V in Nuku'alofa.
The Ambassador, who is based in Suva, Fiji, was on a routine visit to Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu. Tonga was his last stop before returning to Fiji on November 20.
He said the purpose of his visit was to strengthen, maintain and improve the diplomatic ties between France and Tonga at the same time commented on the good relationship and friendship currently enjoyed between the two countries.
"I was also particularly happy that France was able to provide immediate assistance in the tsunami response the outer island of Niuatoputapu, that saw French ships transporting cargo to the devastated island," he said.
During the visit, the Ambassador also met with Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele and Minister of Finance Hon 'Afu'alo Matoto.
Monnier is a Knight of the Order of Merit and Commander of the Order of Merit of the Great Duke of Luxembourg. He has served in Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, Dublin, Colombo and Geneva and other countries.
He has been in Fiji since September 2008 and he first visited Tonga in May when he presented his credentials to King George Tupou V.